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Crew may do extra ISS spacewalk Crew may do extra ISS spacewalk
(about 2 hours later)
The Discovery crew may have to perform an unscheduled spacewalk to fix a stuck solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS).The Discovery crew may have to perform an unscheduled spacewalk to fix a stuck solar panel on the International Space Station (ISS).
The array, which needs to be folded away to make room for new solar panels, jammed as the astronauts attempted to retract it by remote control.The array, which needs to be folded away to make room for new solar panels, jammed as the astronauts attempted to retract it by remote control.
Nasa officials are considering the possibility of an extra spacewalk to carry out a hands-on repair.Nasa officials are considering the possibility of an extra spacewalk to carry out a hands-on repair.
A second spacewalk to rewire the ISS is has been completed, Nasa says. A second spacewalk to rewire the ISS has been completed, Nasa says.
Mission specialists Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who performed the first spacewalk of the mission, began work at 1541EST (1941 GMT).Mission specialists Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang, who performed the first spacewalk of the mission, began work at 1541EST (1941 GMT).
Before the duo began the spacewalk, flight controllers on the ground powered down half of the station.Before the duo began the spacewalk, flight controllers on the ground powered down half of the station.
An extra spacewalk would take the total number during the mission to four.An extra spacewalk would take the total number during the mission to four.
New panelsNew panels
It has been six years since the 35m (115ft) panel, which has served as the space station's primary power source, was deployed and it has not been retracted during that period.It has been six years since the 35m (115ft) panel, which has served as the space station's primary power source, was deployed and it has not been retracted during that period.
New solar panels, fitted in September, will take over the job of powering the ISS.New solar panels, fitted in September, will take over the job of powering the ISS.
During the first spacewalk, the astronauts spent hours grappling with it, comparing the process to folding up a road map, before finally admitting defeat after the system jammed.During the first spacewalk, the astronauts spent hours grappling with it, comparing the process to folding up a road map, before finally admitting defeat after the system jammed.
The solar array needs to be folded away to make way for new panelsThe solar array needs to be folded away to make way for new panels
ISS resident Michael Lopez-Alegria told Houston: "We all tried as much up here as you guys did on the ground and it just wasn't going to work for us today.ISS resident Michael Lopez-Alegria told Houston: "We all tried as much up here as you guys did on the ground and it just wasn't going to work for us today.
"But that stuff happens and I'm sure we'll get through it.""But that stuff happens and I'm sure we'll get through it."
They will begin to rewire the station to enable it to use the power produced by new solar arrays.They will begin to rewire the station to enable it to use the power produced by new solar arrays.
This should boost the ISS's power by about 50%.This should boost the ISS's power by about 50%.
In preparation for the spacewalk, the two astronauts are "camping out" in the station's airlock.In preparation for the spacewalk, the two astronauts are "camping out" in the station's airlock.
The third space walk is scheduled for Saturday, after which the fourth unscheduled walk may take place.The third space walk is scheduled for Saturday, after which the fourth unscheduled walk may take place.
Night flightNight flight
Discovery blasted off from Florida at the weekend in the first night launch of a space shuttle for four years, after being delayed for two days because of bad weather.Discovery blasted off from Florida at the weekend in the first night launch of a space shuttle for four years, after being delayed for two days because of bad weather.
The first spacewalk took place on TuesdayThe first spacewalk took place on Tuesday
The landing date is set for 21 December back at the Kennedy Space Center.The landing date is set for 21 December back at the Kennedy Space Center.
It is as yet unclear whether an additional spacewalk would prolong the trip which is scheduled to last 12 days.It is as yet unclear whether an additional spacewalk would prolong the trip which is scheduled to last 12 days.
Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.Discovery's crew consists of Commander Mark Polansky, pilot William Oefelein and mission specialists Robert Curbeam, Joan Higginbotham, Nicholas Patrick, Sunita Williams and the European Space Agency astronaut Christer Fuglesang.
A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew. For five of the seven astronauts, this is their first shuttle flight.A British-born astronaut, Nicholas Patrick, is among Discovery's crew. For five of the seven astronauts, this is their first shuttle flight.
One of crew, US astronaut Sunita Williams, will stay on at the ISS when Discovery heads home, taking German Thomas Reiter back to Earth.One of crew, US astronaut Sunita Williams, will stay on at the ISS when Discovery heads home, taking German Thomas Reiter back to Earth.
At least 14 more missions are needed to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station.At least 14 more missions are needed to finish the $100bn (£50bn) station.